Defenses Against Deception | Episode 12 | Joy & Fear

Duane Sheriff Ministries - Messages

In the twelfth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane emphasizes the crucial role of God's provisions in countering pervasive deception in society and the church. The supernatural joy from the Holy Spirit and the reverent fear of the Lord stand out as key defenses.

Joy is one of the core "protocols" or languages of God's Kingdom, along with righteousness and peace. When believers experience a supernatural joy rising up within, that reflects the voice and pleasure of God leading them. This godly joy serves as an inward guide showing His approved path.

The Bible states in Nehemiah 8:10 that the joy of the Lord is our strength. As we obey God and walk in His ways, we will sense a divine joy that strengthens and affirms we are following His voice. However, when we operate in disobedience, that joy is grieved and absent from our spirits.

Philippians 2:12-13 reveals that God works in believers "both to will and to do for His good pleasure." We can discern His good pleasure toward our actions by monitoring this supernatural joy. When it rises, we bring Him joy by doing His will. But when the joy fades, we have grieved His Spirit through disobedience.

This divine joy becomes God's inward voice, leading and guiding us from the inside out. It provides an intuitive sense of His approval versus displeasure with our choices and behaviors. Learning to be sensitive to the presence or absence of this joy helps keep us from being deceived.

The second defense is the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Proper, reverential fear and awe of God prevent us from casually giving in to deception or departing from faith. That is why the Apostle Paul instructed believers to work out their salvation with "fear and trembling" in Philippians 2:12.

When we walk in the fear of the Lord, we will take our obedience seriously and be on guard against anything displeasing to God. This breeds a sobriety and spiritual vigilance that protects us from deception's snares. The fear of the Lord provides a restraining, convicting influence that keeps us from being misled.

By cultivating awareness of both the joy and the fear of the Lord within our spirits, we can be attuned to His voice and leading. These two defenses work in tandem to expose deception and keep us securely following the truth.